‘It’s a drug’: Maro Itoje commits to England until 2027 Rugby World Cup

Maro Itoje (centre), pictured before the Rugby World Cup semi-final defeat by South Africa last year, said ‘playing for England is the absolute dream’. Photograph: David Davies/PA

Maro Itoje has given English rugby a timely boost by revealing his desire to continue representing his country until after the next Rugby World Cup. In contrast to his long-time Saracens teammate, Owen Farrell, Itoje is not planning to move abroad and has set his sights on remaining a Test regular for a “minimum” of four more years.

The 29-year-old lock forward has had approaches to join the growing foreign legion of English players in France but has decided he wants to stay and be available for both the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour and the 2027 World Cup in Australia.